PCOS is no LOL Matter

Category

Health and Fitness » Womens Issues

Although pcos affects up to 10% of women worldwide less than half know they have it as standard diagnosis and understanding of this syndrome still remain a mystery.

Up to 10% of women and girls worldwide have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a complex hormonal disorder for which there is no cure. If left untreated PCOS can be a precursor to many life threatening conditions including type II diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke and kidney problems. This means PCOS contributes to some of the leading causes of death and disability in women today.

What PCOS is, and what it does to women who have it, is complicated to explain as symptoms and severity of the syndrome can vary from person to person. Some of the classic symptoms are drastic weight gain, hair loss, depression, fatigue, thyroid problems, high cholesterol, panic attacks, headaches, dizzy spells, poor memory or muddled mind, sleeping disorders, constant thirst, extreme cravings, insulin resistance, cystic acne, cystic ovaries, menstrual cycles without ovulation, irregular cycles, severe mood swings, high testosterone levels, infertility problems, excess facial and body hair, not to mention a seven times greater risk than an average woman for four major health concerns affecting women in the United States today including heart disease, diabetes, endometrial cancer and stroke.
In 2000, I was diagnosed with a syndrome not many individuals, let alone doctors were aware of or well equipped to treat. While there have been strides in recognition, it still remains a conundrum for many...

There are still many unanswered questions. While there are many medical and physical implications with this syndrome the psychological stigmas such as being overweight, excess body hair, acne and infertility leave the most long lasting impressions on many women living with this condition today.. With more awareness and teaming with media outlets like yours, we can change perceptions of who these women are not simply lazy, who do not take care of themselves but, women who are battling the complications associated with this syndrome every day.

It is imperative these stories, studies, articles and coalitions be heard to bring awareness to what still remains today as a mystery syndrome for millions of women..
Many groups, organizations, professionals and advocates are now joining together to end the silence and make pcos a household name on Twitter @jerzgurlie @pcosflago @pcosaa @pcosnutrition @pcoschallenge

There is even a budding online petition with over 10,900 signatures and comments urging or legislators to recognize PCOS as a serious health concern and asks our government to remove it from NIH as a rare disorder as 1 in 10 women worldwide have it!

http://www.petitiononline.com/pcosweb1/petition.html

Keywords 

ovary syndrome pcos, concerns affecting women, syndrome pcos, women worldwide, body hair, affecting women

Author 

Ashley L Levinson
Twitter: @jerzgurlie